The opening delay of a bridge connecting Michigan and Canada has now become a focal point in a Senate race, with Democratic candidate Mallory McMorrow leading efforts to leverage the situation against U.S. President Donald Trump and the Republican party. McMorrow’s latest ad, unveiled exclusively to The Associated Press, alleges that Trump is obstructing the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge to favor a significant political contributor, building on her anti-corruption campaign theme.
The bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, was scheduled for a grand opening on June 12 but was suddenly postponed due to unresolved issues between the U.S. and Canada. This controversy presents Democrats with a unique opportunity to link Trump directly to a project of significant economic impact in a key battleground state.
For McMorrow, who is vying for support in a competitive primary race against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, seizing on this issue allows her to set herself apart as the first Democratic candidate to make it a central campaign focus. The eventual winner will likely face Republican Mike Rogers, who previously ran against current Senator Elissa Slotkin in 2024.
McMorrow’s campaign ad, set against the backdrop of the bridge, accuses Trump of deliberately keeping it closed by emphasizing that it is ready for operation but remains shut because of the president’s actions. She directly calls on Trump to open the bridge, alleging that he is favoring the billionaire family who owns the Ambassador Bridge, the Morouns, who contributed $1 million to Trump’s super PAC earlier this year.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project, funded by Canada and initiated under the administration of former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, has been in progress since 2018, with an estimated cost of $6.4 billion. Named after the iconic Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, the bridge is envisioned as a crucial economic link between the two neighboring countries.
McMorrow is striving to gain momentum in a race that is increasingly seen as a contest between two prominent candidates. Despite being viewed as a dark horse contender, she aims to distinguish herself in a field that includes Stevens, a well-resourced congresswoman, and El-Sayed, a progressive candidate supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The digital ad campaign surrounding the Gordie Howe bridge is part of a broader strategy, with McMorrow investing over $400,000 in TV and digital ads in the Detroit area. External groups have also joined the fray, with a PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee allocating nearly $8 million to support Stevens and a super PAC backing McMorrow reserving close to $6 million for advertising.
As the race intensifies, with El-Sayed recently launching his own ad campaign, McMorrow remains optimistic about the evolving dynamics, recognizing the potential for significant shifts in the final weeks leading up to the primary election.
